Clasp for watchbands

ABSTRACT

In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a watchband composed of at least two parts, one of which has a surface with a plurality of resilient hook-like means and the second part having a surface of fibrous material so that the two parts can be joined with an infinite number of adjustments being possible within predetermined limits. Safety measures to prevent accidental release are also provided.

United States Patent 1191 Montague, Jr.

1111 3,747,171 14 1 July 24,1973

[ CLASP FOR WATCHBANDS [76] Inventor: Archer A. Montague, Jr., 1315 BaezSt., Raleigh, NC.

[22] Filed: Dec. 29, 1971 [2i] Appl. No.: 213,272

52 us. 01 24/265 ws, 224/4 E 51 int. c1. A44C 5/18 [58] Field of Search58/88 so, 88 wc;

224/4 D, 4 E, 4 F; 24/201 R, DIG. I8, 204, 265 WS, 265 B, 73 WW [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,073,280 3/1937 Lederer... 24/73WW UX 2,466,741 4/1949 ROChX'IWr 224/4 E X 2,499,898 3/1950 Anderson....24/DIG. l8 UX 3,327,410 6/1967 Park at al 24/DIG. 18 UX 3,566,556 3 1971Nichols 24 201 x 3,640,273 2 1972 Ray... 24 204 x FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1,103,471 2/1968 Great Britain 24 204 368,650 5/1963Switzerland 24 010. 18

Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Att0rneyJbhn G. Mills, Ill

[57] ABSTRACT In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is awatchband composed of at least two parts, one of .which has a surfacewith a plurality of resilient hooklike means and the second part havinga surface of librous material so that the two parts can be joined withan infinite number of adjustments being possible within predeterminedlimits. Safety measures to prevent accidental release are also provided.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIEUJULZMQH SNEU 1 0F 2 Fig. 18

Fig. 1A

Fig.2 B

Archer A. Montague Jr.

'1 VENTOR. BY Q Attorney Pmmwmz 3.747. 171

SHEET 2 OF 2 Archer A. Montague Jr. INVENTOR.

Atlorne;

CLASP FOR WATCHBANDS In the past, various attempts have been made toprovide securing means for watchbands which would securely hold theparts thereof together and yet would be quickly releasable. Buckle typeclasps adjust only at predetermined intervals/Slide securing means-havea tendency to slip and are difficult to release. Because of these andother complexities of use, the prior art bands have generally not beenconsidered satisfactory.

After much research and study into the above mentioned problems, thepresent invention has been developed to provide an improved clasp forwatch type bands that is quickly connectable and releasable with aninfinite number of adjustments'being possible between predeterminedlimits. Applicant accomplishes this result through the novel use ofsecuring means of the type known as Velcro, in combination with otherunique structure to provide a much improved, yet simple clasp means. Theseveral modifications disclosed each include their own advantageousfeatures as will hereinafter be set forth in detail.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a watchband clasp in at least two parts, one having a surfacecontaining aplurality of hook-like means and the second includingasurfaceof fibrous material.

Another object. of the present invention is to provide a clasp means forwatchbands including at least three parts thereto, at least one of suchparts having a surface containing a plurality of resilient hook-likemeans, at least one of said parts having a surface containing a fibrousmaterial, and a third member containing either fibrous or hook surfaces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a watchbandsecuring means, two opposing surfaces of two separate memberscooperatively coated with Velcro type material, and a slideably mountedbandlikemember for retaining said surfaces in contactive relation toeach other.

A further objectof the presentinvention is to provide a watchband clasphaving opposing members coated with Velcro type material with one ofsaid members including a generally U-shaped member extending beyond theend thereof thereby retaining the contactive surfaces in connectiveengagement with each other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a watchbandsecuring means including the use of Velcro type material.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent and obvious from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings which are merely illustrative thereof.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of the watchband clasp ofthe present invention in open position;

FIG. I B is a perspective view of such band in a closed position;

FIG. 2 A is a partially exploded perspective view of a modification ofthe clasp of the present invention;

FIG. 2 B is a perspective view of such modification in attachedposition;

FIG. 3 A is a perspective view of another modification of the presentinvention in open position;

FIG. 3 B is a perspective view of such modification in closed position;

FIG. 4 A is a perspective view of still another modification of thepresent invention in open position;

FIG. 4 B is a perspective view of such modification in closed position;

FIG. 5 A is a typical cross section of the hook and fabric portions ofthe clasp of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 B is a typical cross section of the hook and fabric portions ofthe clasp of the present invention in contactive secured position.

With further reference to the drawings, a watch type case indicatedgenerally at 10 includes standard band connecting means 11.

To one of the connecting means is secured one side or half 12 of a band.The opposite connecting means is attached a second hand or half 13. Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1 A and B, the end of band 12 opposite connection 11 terminates in a hinged area 14 with the surface of the hingedend being coated with a loosely composed fibrous material 15. The end ofband 13 opposite connection 11 terminates in a portion containing asurface with a multiplicity of resilient hook-like members. This hookcontaining surface 16, when placed adjacent the fibrous material 15,will cause the hooks to become entangled in the fibrous material therebysecuring the two parts together. This principle is well accepted in theart with Velcro being the tradename for such material. FIG. 1 Billustrates the band'of FIG. 1 A in secured or attached position.

The embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 2 A and 2 B includes fibrous materialsurfaces on the same side of bands 12 and 13 with a separate andindependent third portion 17 having one side or surface covered with thehook material 16 as heretofore described. The advantage of thisembodiment is to allow more flexibility in securing the band and toallow for varying length adjustment in a simplified manner.

The embodiment of'FlGS. 3 A and 3 B is somewhat similar to theembodiment of FlGS. 1 A and 1 B with the elimination of the hinge means14 and the inclusion of band joint curcumventing belt 18. When using theFIG. 3 embodiment, the fibrous and hook material portions are pressedtogether in securing fashion and the belt 18 is slidingly placed aroundthe mated, overlapping portions of the band. Since peeling back ormoving laterally apart easily and quickly breaks the union between themating portions, and further since longitudinal or sliding pressures ofone surface against the other is met with great resistance, the use ofsecuring band 18 to hold the band portion in overlapping relation hasbeen found to be a great advantage, particularly for active peopleengaged in sports and other strenuous activities.

Generally the securing means of the embodiments of FlGS. l and 2 havebeen found satisfactory for everyday use but for extra securing orclasping, the embodiments of FlGS. 3 and 4 have been found advantageous.

Since the sliding of the securing band 18 over the mating portions maybecome tight to accomplish or time consuming, the embodiment of FlGS. 4A and 4 B has been developed. In this embodiment, a generally U-shapedmember 19 extends outwardly and slightly interiorly of the normalwearing position of the band. To secure the clasp of this embodiment,the fibrous portion 15 is passed through the opening of the U- shapedmember 19 and pushed therethrough to the desired len'gth adjustment.

While this is being accomplished, a hook material 16 is held slightlyapart so that securing contact will not be made. Once the desiredadjustment has been made, pressure is released-from the outer or hookportion so that the same will move downwardly into contact with thefibrous material. Thus it can be seen that the U- shaped member 19,being beneath the fibrous material 15, biases the same upwardly oroutwardly against the hook material to give maximum longitudinal contactbetween the surfaces and to prevent a tendency of the union to separatelaterally.

When it is desired to quickly separate the embodiment of FIG. 4, allthat is necessary is for the hook material portion 16 to be raised fromits normal biased position thus laterally separating the hooks from thefibrous portion 15. Once this is accomplished, the portion of the bandcarrying the fibrous material can be removed from the U-shaped member tocompletely disconnect the band.

A housing 20 is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4 to add aestheticallyto such modification and to stiffen the same in the clasp area. It isnot, however, believed that such housing is a necessity for efficientoperation and use of this embodiment.

As heretofore mentioned, in actual use of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 Aand 1 B, all that is necessary is for the user of the band of thepresent invention to place the same around his wrist and press the hookand fibrous portions together to secure the two band portions 12 and 13.

To use the embodiment of FIGS. 2 A and 2 B, the band portions 12 and 13are placed adjacent or in close proximity to each other and third member17 is placed thereacross thus securing such band portions together. Toremove the same, the third member 17 is pulled loose from either one orboth of the bands thus disconnecting the same.

To use the embodiment included in FIGS. 3 A and 3 B, the fibrous andhook materials of a respective band members are placed in contactiverelation with each other after such bands have encircled the wrist ofthe wearer. The securing means 18 is then slidingly moved around theoverlapping band portion thus securing the same from accidental lateraldisconnection. To release this embodiment, all that is necessary is forthe securing band to be slidingly moved from around the overlappingportions so that such portions can be laterally removed one from theother.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4 A and 4 B is secured, as

heretofore mentioned, by passing the end of one band through theU-shaped member at the end of the other band to the desired adjustedposition and then allowing the natural biasing action of the members tofold the two portions in contactive secured relation. To disconnect thisembodiment, the upper and outer portion is laterally pulled or separatedfrom the inner portion and such inner portion is slidingly removed fromthe U- shaped member 19.

From the above, it is obvious that the present invention has theadvantage of providing a quickly attachable, securely holding,infinitely adjustable band type securing means. The present inventionalso has the advantage of providing a means for preventing accidentalrelease of a quick attaching band means while at the same time providingalmost instant release when desired.

The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specificways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit andessential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalencyrange of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A securing means comprising: a case-like means; at least two bandmeans; means for attaching one end of each of said band means to saidcase; fibrous material coating one surface adjacent the end oppositesaid connecting means of the band means; a multiplicity of resilient,upright, hook-like means attached to one surface of the second bandmeans adjacent the end opposite said connecting means and a generallyU-shaped member provided adjacent one end of one of said band means andprojecting outwardly therefrom whereby when said other band means ispassed through said U- shaped member said fibrous area and said hookarea will be biased toward each other.

2. The means of claim 1 wherein the fibrous and hook means are composedof a material known as Velcro.

3. The means of claim 1 wherein a means is provided for holding saidband means together adjacent their juncture.

4. The means of claim 3 wherein the holding means is an encircling,band-shaped member.

1. A securing means comprising: a case-like means; at least two bandmeans; means for attaching one end of each of said band means to saidcase; fibrous material coating one surface adjacent the end oppositesaid connecting means of the band means; a multiplicity of resilient,upright, hook-like means attached to one surface of the second bandmeans adjacent the end opposite said connecting means and a generallyU-shaped member provided adjacent one end of one of said band means andprojecting outwardly therefrom whereby when said other band means ispassed through said U-shaped member said fibrous area and said hook areawill be biased towarD each other.
 2. The means of claim 1 wherein thefibrous and hook means are composed of a material known as Velcro. 3.The means of claim 1 wherein a means is provided for holding said bandmeans together adjacent their juncture.
 4. The means of claim 3 whereinthe holding means is an encircling, band-shaped member.